January Family Newsletter
Back for more in 2024!
Principals' Message
We are almost halfway through the school year! We thank you for your support of and participation in all things Windsor. We feel blessed to be partnering with our families for the success of our students.
Students got back to work and our halls and classrooms are full of energy, laughter, and learning. Next week our winter benchmark assessment window opens. You can read more below in "Did You Know" about the reading and math screening assessments.
Please reach out at any time with questions or concerns. Here's to a lot to cheer in the new year!
Mrs. Johnson & Mrs. Lorentzen
Important Dates
January Calendar
January 5: Dental screening
January 8: Winter reading and math Fastbridge screening begins
January 9: PAWS 6:00
January 15: No School
January 16: SAC 6:00 & Food/Personal Pantry Open 3:30 - 5:30
January 16-17: No School, Teacher Professional Development
February 12: No School, Teacher Professional Development
February 13: No School, Teacher Professional Development; Conferences 12:00 - 6:45
February 15: Conferences 3:00 - 6:45 (Sign up sheet coming soon)
Did You Know?
Stay informed and involved!
- The third round of 21st Century starts next week and we are still looking assistants. Please email Madisen Gaskin, Community School Coordinator at madisen.gaskin@dmschools.org if you have interest.
- Fastbridge math and reading assessments will be administered to all students this month. You can read about these assessments HERE. School staff will be meeting following the assessment window to review individual, grade and building data and plan intervention responses. You can expect to have progress information on these and other assessments shared at February conferences.
- Quarter 3 begins January 18. The curriculum we use can be found online. Our literacy curriculum is a knowledge-building one which incorporates a daily read, write, think, talk cycle for the content reading hour. Literacy foundational skills comprise an additional hour of instruction and differentiated small groups. You can find your child's grade level curriculum units at EL Education Curriculum |. We use IM for our math curriculum which builds conceptual understanding, problem-based learning and mathematical practices along with mental math fluency. You can find your child's grade level curriculum at Illustrative Mathematics | Kendall Hunt.
- We are always looking to welcome family and community guests to share experiences, trades, skills, hobbies that align to our curriculum. Please reach out if you would be interested!
- There is a wealth of resources for families on our website on THIS WEBPAGE. An additional resource to share this month is a YouTube channel called Reading Buddies. Ask your child what phonics pattern they are learning and watch a video together! Reading Buddies YouTube Channel
- A 'lead sheet' is the kind of sheet music rock stars use when they perform whereas classical musicians read music with the treble clef. 5th graders are learning guitar and will soon choose additional instruments to learn. There may be future rock stars or classical musicians in our school right now!
- There is a Dance Clinic being held for K-8 students at Roosevelt. Use THIS LINK to learn more and register.
- 51 students participated in the PAWS Winter Reading BINGO!
- 38 students expressed interest in and are beginning student leadership jobs this month. We are training Student Ambassadors (Tour Guides), Clean Up/Lost and Found Crews, Hall Monitors, Broadcaster and a Media Team!
๐ Staff Introductions
Ms. Rodriguez, 4th Grade
Mrs. Rodriguez graduated from Iowa State University with a teaching degree. After college she joined the Peace Corps in Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, Mrs. Rodriguez taught environmental education and English in public elementary schools. She has been a teacher in Des Moines since 1999 and at Windsor since 2007. In Des Moines she has taught Spanish, 4th grade, and 5th grade. Mrs. Rodriguez also earned her Masterโs degree in Education from Viterbo University in 2010.
Ms. Bolte, 4th Grade
I graduated from Upper Iowa University and began teaching at Windsor in 2007. I have taught both 3rd and 4th grade throughout my career, and my favorite parts of teaching are helping students learn new things and reading chapter books aloud! I also attended Windsor as a student and graduated from Roosevelt High School. Outside of school I love cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones and spending time with my husband and our 2 kids, Lucas and Olivia.
Mrs. Young
Hi! My name is Susan Young and I am the Building Guest Educator at Windsor Elementary. As the building sub, I wear multiple hats daily and sometimes even several hats within the same day! One day I may be teaching 1st grade, the next it may be 5th grade or Special Education or Kindergarten or PE or Music or the office, etc, etc!! I am constantaly switching gears and love that I get to interact with ALL the amazing students and staff here at Windsor. I have retired twice - once from the aviation business and most recently from being the executive travel consultant for the NCAA. I love learning and to think on my feet so this job is a perfect fit for me! I have 3 grown children and 9 grandchildren who all inspire me with their own talents and uniqeness. On the daily I am caregiver to my Father, Bob Logan, who will be 98 on Valentines Day and is a retired music teacher. I also parent my Granddaughter, Annabelle, who is a kindergartener here at Windsor. Annabelle has been in my care since she was 7 months old so we are quite a team!
Building Sub Needed
If you or someone you know might be interested in being a full-time building sub, please contact Mrs. Johnson or Mrs. Lorentzen. We would love to meet with you and share more information about what the job entails. A few details:
- The position is full time, meaning the building sub is scheduled to work every day students are in school. Professional learning days are invitational and optional.
- Requirements are a valid teaching or substitute authorization license.
- Pay is $180/day with the option to receive benefits after meeting hour requirements.